On this day

Friday, March 1, 2013

You know those booklets which list famous happenings during your natal year? I got one on my last birthday and thought it fascinating. One day I waned to condense that idea and see what happened on a certain day in history – both at home and abroad. I chose today. March 1 is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) and there are 305 days remaining.Astrologically speaking, a Pisces born on March 1 has strong views on morality yet does not confuse them with deeper, spiritual truths. Their need to understand their motivations is strong, and it defines their character. They are competitive and give their best at every opportunity, always believing that attitude, more than ability, promises success.Let’s start with some famous birthdays – and for that we can begin right at home, offering felicitations to someone whose life, work and community service have impacted Summervillians for more than half a century. March 1, 1917, saw the birth of our Mayor Emeritus Berlin George Myers. Happy 96th Birthday, your honor! As you were born on the fourth day of the week, you’re living out the words of that famous poem that tells us: “Thursday’s child has far to go.”Others who share this day include pop star Justin Bieber, singer Harry Belafonte, composer Frederic Chopin, child actor turned director Ron Howard, band leader Glenn Miller, actor David Niven, singer Dinah Shore, and in fiction, Ron Weasley (portrayed by actor Rupert Grint) came to life in the Harry Potter series. A famous showbiz couple married on this date: Johnny Cash and June Carter.Many important national events took place on this date in history.One of the oldest is the first census which happened in 1790 In 1932. the Lindbergh baby is kidnapped when stolen from his crib at the family estate in Hopewell, New Jersey. The Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) is completed in 1936 and turned over to the U.S. government. It supplies hydroelectricity, irrigation and fresh water to homes in California and Nevada.A year later the most successful – and acrimonious – steel strike was over. This was the end of the steel strike for union workers. This strike had resulted in quite a few victories for unions such as the United Auto Workers who has staged a strike at the Michigan General Motors plant during this time period. The reason for the union strike: similar to the rest of the reason why strikes take place. Generally speaking, they are planned with the intent of advocating better working conditions for all employees (i.e. shorter hours, pay raises, more benefits, and workers’ protection).In 1954 the USA tests the hydrogen bomb in the Pacific archipelago of Bikini, part of the Marshall Islands. President John F. Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps as a new agencywithin the Department of State.

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